Jsinapijr - thanks for wording this posting in the nonjudgmental, neutral way that you did. There are some who do drink enough to make a package worthwhile, and there are some who would rather just pay up front for everything and not worry about added expenses during the cruise. I have bought the drink package a time or two when they offered a discount on it, and I have taken advantage of it when it has been a free perk. But I did tend to drink more than I normally would with the package, which could be a not-so-good consequence, ha. Having said that....
I do think beverage package prices are getting out of control.
I would not choose my cruise line based on an included drink package, however, if more than one of my favored cruise lines are offering the itinerary I want, a plus might be the one offering a free drink package!
If prices were comparable to, or even just a tad higher than what I would drink anyway, then I would definitely rather get a package; I can budget for it, pay it, and forget it.